ElevatorLab Blog

Home elevators can cause harm.The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that in just two years 1,600 people were hurt on home elevators, which don’t have the same safety features as commercial elevators.

Are you an owner of a home elevator? Are you looking to keep you family and friends safe? We can help.

Although most home elevator details are best addressed by an elevator consultant, the general public needs immediate safety information for home elevators.

The purpose of this article is to educate homeowners about the importance of safety on home elevators. This article is designed to increase safety awareness for everyone that owns, or will own, a home elevator.

Here are 5 home elevator safety tips to keep you and your family safe.

1. Check who installed your home elevator

It’s important to know who installed your elevator.

DIY home elevators could be unsafe. Your elevator should have been installed by a qualified elevator mechanic.

Some jurisdictions require an elevator certification to perform home elevator installation or maintenance. Some jurisdictions require permits.

​If you're unsure if your home elevator was installed by a qualified elevator mechanic, contact your local city to obtain records of the permit. You could also contact a local home elevator dealer and installer to help you locate the information.

2. Check your home elevator door gap

A know problem is with the gap between the elevator interior and exterior doors. Children can get trapped in the gap between the two doors while the elevator moves.

2016 safety code was changed to reduce the size of the gap. If your elevator was installed before the door gap code, you should consider installing safety features to reduce the gap size, such as a spaceguard.

3. Check your home elevator safety features

Many home elevator safety products exist. You should check which products you have.

Emergency Battery and Lowering Device: If home power fails while using the elevator, this device will prevent entrapments. While using the emergency battery the elevator will travel down to the next floor and open the doors.

Alarm:An alarm can be activated by a button inside the elevator.

Door Interlocks: Door interlocks prevent the elevator doors from opening unless the elevator is at the floor.

Leveling System: This device will make sure the elevator stops and levels with the floor to prevent a tripping hazard. ​Car Door Contact:This part prevents the elevator from running until the doors are fully closed.

4. Check your last home elevator inspection

Home elevator inspection laws depend on the state and location. Double check with your local authority for annual inspection requirements.

Elevator inspections may cost around $150 and should be performed regardless of your local regulation. Elevator inspectors can make safety recommendations.

Find a local elevator inspector and double check if the inspector's certification is still valid here.

Spaceguard - to reduce the door gap.

5. Check if your home elevator is safe

Contact your local home elevator or vendor to make sure your home elevator is safe. If you need additional help, contact an elevator consultant. You can speak with an elevator consultant on demand at ElevatorLab. ​An elevator consultant will understand the market and point you to the best home elevator vendor to complete the work. They will also guide you to the safest solution.

I like that you talked about the importance of elevator safety. Getting elevators checked regularly will help prevent unwanted problems and accidents. My dad is planning to build a house with elevators so my grandparents can use it instead of the stairs. I'll be sure to share your article with him.

My grandparents are having a hard time climbing up the stairs of their home and they are planning to have an elevator. It was explained here that when dealing with an elevator, it will be best to check the elevator safety features. Furthermore, it's recommended to go to trusted businesses for quality elevator installation services.